Under Vehicle Snow-Shovel

ABSTRACT

A snow-shovel apparatus and method that allows a person to easily remove compacted snow from underneath a vehicle which is stuck and possibly hungup in the snow. Generally, a two bladed shovel-like design wherein the horizontally opposed blades open up from a folded position next to the handle for use. The shovel with blades retracted is pushed through compacted snow underneath the vehicle, is positioned by the user at the beginning of the shovel stroke where the blades are forced open by telescoping the handle, and snow is withdrawn from underneath the vehicle by the exertion of pulling forces along the handle, drawing the blades and captured snow towards the user. The handle is compressed and the blades retracted when not in use. The under vehicle snow-shovel is especially useful to the traveler as an aid in freeing vehicles that are hung up and stuck in the snow.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a snow removal apparatus and method for removal of snow from underneath a vehicle, and in particular to a snow-shovel apparatus and method for removal of compacted snow from underneath a vehicle which is stuck and possibly hungup in the snow.

Often times during the winter in snowy climates the depth of the snow is sufficient to prevent enough traction between a vehicles tires and the ground or road surface. For example, a snowstorm that delivers 18″ of snow is enough to prevent a passenger vehicle from driving on non-plowed roads. Even a storm that delivers only 6″ of snow, if combined with blowing and drifting, can make roads impassable for many passenger vehicles. Driving on such unplowed roads can cause a vehicle to begin to plow snow with the undercarriage of the vehicle if the snow is deeper than the vehicles ground clearance. Plowing snow causes the snow to compact, and when the snow which the vehicle is plowing with its undercarriage becomes compact and dense enough, the vehicle's under carriage will begin to ride up on the compacted snow, unweighting the tires and causing a loss of traction, thereby causing the vehicle to become hung-up and stuck in the compacted snow. This is especially true when there is considerable blowing and drifting of snow taking place, because snow drifts are already partially compacted by the wind.

For this reason, roads and streets are plowed, moving snow from the center of the road to the shoulders of the road resulting in a road surface that allows a passenger vehicle to pass. Plowing roads, thereby moving all of the snow to the sides of the road creating snow banks can create its own set of problems because plowing compacts snow, increasing its density and cohesiveness, thereby creating snowbanks that are much harder and more compacted than freshly fallen snow. On the occasion that roads become icy and slippery during the winter, vehicles may lose control and drive off the road becoming hung-up and stuck in these snowbanks.

There is also the matter that plows naturally throw up a snowbank across every driveway that they pass on the street or roadway, oftentimes plowing them in and plugging them up. Waiting for such driveways to be plowed or blown out is not always an available option and the choice is then to shovel the driveway open or try and drive through the snowbank. Attempting to drive through a snowbank often leads to a vehicle becoming hungup and stuck in the snowbank.

There is also the matter of vehicles parked on the side of the road or street during a snowstorm which will oftentimes get plowed in. As the plow comes along early in the morning passing the parked vehicles, snow pushed by the plow forms a snow bank around the parked vehicles, as well as being thrown underneath the vehicles due to the high initial velocity of the snow coming off of the plows blade. There is again a choice of shoveling first or just trying to drive out. The driving out choice often leads to a vehicle becoming hung-up and stuck in a snowbank.

Once a vehicle has become hung up and stuck in the snow, it must either be towed out, pushed out, or shoveled out. Having a vehicle towed out of a snow bank is the most costly option and a tow truck may not be available. Having a vehicle pushed out of a snowbank requires somebody else to help push, and oftentimes, shoveling will still be required. If there is no tow truck available and if there is no one else to help push, then to get the vehicle unstuck, the snow beneath the vehicle must be removed by shoveling. Removing this snow serves two purposes, it decreases the drag between the vehicle and the ground and, by removing the compacted snow which the vehicle frame has ridden up on, returns the vehicle's weight to the vehicle's tires, greatly improving traction between the drive wheels and ground. When the force provided by the driving wheels exceeds the drag on the vehicle, the vehicle will become unstuck.

Compacted snow beneath a stuck vehicle must ordinarily be removed by pulling it out from underneath the vehicle for several reasons. The first reason is that when a vehicle has become hungup, whether by driving through very deep snow, such as a compacted snow drift or a plowed in driveway, or by sliding off of the road into a compacted snowbank, it is not possible, from one side of the vehicle, to push the compacted snow underneath the vehicle out the other side. The second reason snow must be pulled from underneath a vehicle stuck in the snow is that the undercarriage of the vehicle is close to the ground (often ten inches or less), and snow cannot be lifted out from underneath it.

A conventional snow shovel is the best tool for removal of snow around a stuck vehicle, which can be used to scoop and throw the snow. However, using the same snow shovel to try and remove the compacted snow from beneath the vehicle is very difficult to do because conventional shovels are designed to push, lift and throw snow, and they do not work well for trying to draw compacted snow out from underneath a hung-up vehicle. Many conventional snow shovels are not designed to penetrate compacted snow even when it is not found under a vehicle, and may be difficult if not impossible to use to remove compacted snow from underneath a vehicle hungup and stuck in the snow.

Numerous patents have been developed to aid in personal snow removal. Some prior art allows snow to be pushed across the ground for removal. Some prior art allows snow to be scooped up and thrown for removal. Some prior art allows snow to be pulled with a snow-blade, generally for removal from upper surfaces of a vehicle or the pitched roofs of buildings. None of the prior art is designed for penetration of compacted snow under a vehicle. None of the prior art is designed for the efficient removal of compacted snow from under a vehicle.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,890 issued Jun. 17, 2003 to Gilmore et al. is a modified roof snow rake with a spring loaded and collapsible shovel head to assist in gliding over the snow as the shovel head is pushed up a pitched roof to a desired location to begin pulling snow off of the roof. This snow removal apparatus is designed to remove snow from an elevated surface and is not designed to penetrate compacted snow or for use under a vehicle.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,078 issued Sep. 14, 1999 to Whitehead et al. is a standard snow shovel which makes use of a telescoping handle to make for more compact storage for carrying in a vehicle. The telescoping handle does not contribute to additional shoveling functions other than to provide a standard length handle when shoveling and a compact handle length for storage. This shovel is designed for throwing snow.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,929 issued Oct. 27, 1998 to Tisbo et al. is a combination snow shovel which makes use of a special curved blade to allow use for pushing or lifting and throwing snow. This shovel is not designed to pull compacted snow out from under a vehicle.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,768 issued Feb. 19, 1991 to Ewen is a combination shovel and utility device for use with a vehicle, and can be used as a shovel, a large ice scraper a mat or an emergency sled. The flattened shovel blade is not conducive to carrying any sizeable amount of snow out from under a vehicle and the design itself is bulky and inefficient. A typical combination tool which is marginal for specific uses. This tool is not designed to pull compacted snow out from under a vehicle.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,819 issued Jul. 18, 1989 to Moorefield is a vehicle snow rake with a rigid plastic or rubber blade. This tool is designed for pulling snow off of a vehicle. This snow rake is not designed to penetrate compacted snow and it is not designed for use under a vehicle.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,550,943 issued Nov. 5, 1985 to Mirto is a vehicle snow rake with a telescoping and collapsing handle. This tool is designed for pulling snow off of a vehicle. This snow rake is not designed to penetrate compacted snow and it is not designed for use under a vehicle.

Most travelers in snow country will carry a standard snow shovel or even a square point or round point shovel in case they get stuck in the snow. These shovels are not designed to deal with compacted snow underneath a vehicle. A snow-shovel's scoop is generally too big to fit under most vehicles and with lightweight plastic construction, most are not strong enough to penetrate compacted snow. Even when the scoop is strong enough to penetrate compacted snow, most will not fit entirely underneath a vehicle with average ground clearance, and once its scoop has been pushed as far under the edge of a vehicle as it will fit, under an area of compacted snow, the scoop end must be slightly tilted up and pulled backwards with the hope that there is enough drag created on the compacted snow overlaying the shovel scoop that it will stay on the scoop as the scoop is withdrawn from underneath the edge of the vehicle. Snow has an extremely low coefficient of friction, even more so when it is colder outside and icy, and most often will slide off of the snow shovel blade as it is being withdrawn from underneath the vehicle, especially since there is a tendency for the snow to be scraped off of the shovel blade by the lower edge of the car frame if the shovel is lifted at all before it is entirely clear of the underside of the vehicle. Such shovels are useful mainly to shovel out around a vehicle which is stuck in the snow.

Smaller square point and especially round point shovels are very good at penetrating compacted snow under a vehicle but they are poor at pulling very much snow out since they are designed for lifting loads and not dragging them. Snow tends to constantly slide off the blade of such shovels as it is pulled from under the vehicle leaving most of any small shovel full still under the vehicle.

What is needed then, is a snow removal apparatus and method which is simple and easy to use, and which allows someone who's vehicle is stuck in the snow to easily penetrate the compacted snow underneath the vehicle and then be able to capture and draw out and remove a substantial load of snow with each shovel stroke, to consistently control how much snow is removed with each pass of the shovel, to quickly and efficiently remove the compacted snow from underneath the vehicle allowing the vehicle to become unstuck, and to fold down into a compact unit for storing when not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a snow-shovel apparatus and method for removal of snow from underneath a vehicle, which allows a driver to quickly and efficiently remove compacted snow from underneath a vehicle which is hungup and stuck in the snow, in a timely and cost effective manner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a snow-shovel apparatus and method for removal of snow from underneath a vehicle, which provides for the removal of snow without lifting.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a snow-shovel apparatus and method for removal of snow from underneath a vehicle, which provides for the removal of snow by the method of pulling, and not pushing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a snow-shovel apparatus and method for removal of snow from underneath a vehicle, which provides a small, hardened, blade edge surface area for easy penetration of compacted snow under a vehicle.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a snow-shovel apparatus and method for removal of snow from underneath a vehicle, which provides for a reasonably large and rigid shovel surface area for the consistent removal of a substantial load of snow with each shovel stroke.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a snow-shovel apparatus and method for removal of snow from underneath a vehicle, whose effective shovel surface area can be easily adjusted if necessary by the user at any time while shoveling.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a snow-shovel apparatus and method for removal of snow from underneath a vehicle, which is portable.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a snow-shovel apparatus and method for removal of snow from underneath a vehicle, which is inexpensive compared to prior art.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a snow-shovel apparatus and method for removal of snow from underneath a vehicle, which can be quickly closed to a compact size and stored out of the way when not in use.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are realized in one embodiment of a snow-shovel apparatus and method for removal of snow from underneath a vehicle, comprising

Generally, a two bladed shovel-like design wherein the horizontally opposed blades open up from a folded position next to the handle for use.

The horizontally opposed folding shovel blades allow for the efficient penetration of compacted snow and the removal thereof. A telescoping handle mechanism controls the angle and thereby the resistance of the shovel blades allowing for semi-automatic folding and unfolding of the blades when penetrating and then removing compacted snow from under a vehicle. Folding shovel blades and a telescoping handle present an extremely compact unit for storing when not in use.

The method of the present invention includes the steps of, providing a snow-shovel apparatus for removal of snow from underneath a vehicle, pushing the shovel with blades retracted through compacted snow underneath the vehicle, stopping at a desired starting position for a shovel stroke, telescoping the handle open and thereby forcing the blades partially open to the snow capture position, exerting rearward longitudinal forces along the shaft by pulling on the handgrip thereby causing the blades to dig into the snow and expand to their fully open or drag/plow position, continuing to pull on the shaft thereby drawing the blades and captured snow towards the user, withdrawing a captured load of snow from underneath the vehicle, compressing the handle thereby allowing the shovel blades to retract back down against the handle tube, repeating the previous steps until enough snow has been removed that the vehicle is unstuck, and storing the snow-shovel apparatus, in this compressed configuration, in the vehicle for future use.

Other objects and features of the invention will become clear upon a reading of the Detailed Description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be understood from the description of the embodiment which follows and from the accompanying drawings. The drawings are hereby expressly made a part of the specification.

FIG. 1 is a lengthwise overhead view of the under vehicle snow shovel with the handle in the extended position and with the blades extended fully open to the snow capture position.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the shovel depicted in FIG. 1, looking from the handle end towards the blade end.

FIG. 3A is a detail view of the main component sections of the shovel depicted in FIG. 1, with sections of the handle cut away.

FIG. 3B is a lengthwise side view of the shovel depicted in FIG. 3A, with the same sections of the handle cut away.

FIG. 4 is a detail view of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a lengthwise overhead view of the shovel with the handle in the compressed position and with the blades folded closed in the snow penetration position, and which is also the storage position.

FIG. 6 is a lengthwise overhead view of the shovel with the handle extended causing the blades to open to the initial snow capture position.

FIG. 7 is a lengthwise overhead view of the shovel with the handle extended and with the blades extended fully open to the drag/plow position.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the shovel depicted in FIG. 5, looking from the blade or front end towards the handle or rear end, with a view of the small cross section which allows for maximum snow penetration.

FIG. 9 is an end view of the shovel depicted in FIG. 5, looking from the handle or rear end towards the blade or front end, showing no exposed blade surface area for snow capture.

FIG. 10 is an end view of the shovel depicted in FIG. 6, looking from the handle or rear end towards the blade or front end, showing a partially exposed blade area for snow capture.

FIG. 11 is an end view of the shovel depicted in FIG. 7, looking from the handle or front end towards the blade or rear end, showing a fully exposed blade area for maximum snow capture.

FIG. 12 is a lengthwise overhead view of the shovel with the blades hyper extended by the compression of the handle to the release position, which allows the blades to swing free and fold back rearward to the snow penetration or storage position.

FIG. 13 is a lengthwise overhead view of the shovel with the blades folding back rearward towards the snow penetration or storage position.

FIG. 14 is a lengthwise overhead view of the shovel with the blades folded closed rearward in the snow penetration position, which is the same as in FIG. 5, and which is also the storage position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the various drawings to depict like or similar elements of the claimed snow-shovel apparatus. For the purpose of presenting a brief and clear discussion of the snow-shovel apparatus, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for the removal of compacted snow from underneath a vehicle hungup and stuck in a snowbank. This is for representative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting in any manner.

Individual shovel parts have been labeled in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, 3B and 4 for clarity.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment 10 of the snow-shovel apparatus, is seen from a lengthwise overhead view, and from an end view looking from the handle or rear end towards the blade or front end, both showing the handle in the fully extended position with the blades extended open to the snow capture position.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4 provide greater detail of the snow shovel apparatus 10 with its primary assemblies: the shovel head assembly 30, and the telescoping handle assembly 12 which provides support for and actuation of the shovel head assembly 30.

The shovel head assembly 30 is comprised of two shovel blades 40, two blade control arms 42, two control arm Y joints 54, two blade control arm slots 50, two slot seals 52, two pressed roll pins 48, two pin enclosures 38, two blade hinge assemblies 34, two bolt and nut assemblies 36, and one shovel head hinge plate 56.

The telescoping handle assembly 12 is comprised of an inner shaft 16, an outer shaft 14, a slide pin 46, two slide pin slots 44, a hinge plate retaining bolt 32, an outer shaft lock pin hole 22, two inner shaft lock pin holes 24 as can be seen in FIG. 3B, a handle lock pin 26 as can be seen in FIG. 1, a handle lock pin chain 28 also seen in FIG. 1, a handgrip bracket 18, and a handgrip 20.

In the preferred embodiment of the snow-shovel apparatus 10, the outer shaft 14 is a hollow tube having a closed end and an open end into which the inner shaft 16 is inserted. The inner shaft's 16 outside diameter is equal to the outer shaft's 14 inside diameter, which sizing allows the inner shaft 16 to slide within the outer shaft 14 without excessive friction or play, and may be made to a size from ¾ inch to 1½ inches, more or less, to any size that fits comfortably in a user's hand. The inner shaft 16 extends into and runs almost the full length of the outer shaft 14 when in the compressed position. The outer shaft 14 and the inner shaft 16 can be made of aluminum, stainless steel or carbon steel, depending on the size of shovel, although aluminium is preferred for its weight savings.

The telescoping motion of the inner shaft 16 out from the outer shaft 14 is the mechanism by which the shovel head assembly 30 is actuated. A pair of slide pin slots 44 are cut into two opposing sides of the outer shaft 14. The inner shaft slide pin 46 inserts through and is attached to the inserted end of the inner shaft 16, then extending outwards through the slide pin slots 44 in the outer shaft 14, as can be clearly seen in FIG. 3B, then connecting to the shovel blade control arms 42. This allows any movement of the inner shaft 16 in relation to the outer shaft 14 to be relayed to the shovel blades 40 by their attachment to the shovel blade control arms 42. The purpose of the slide pin slots 44 is to assist the control arms 42, in controlling direction and movement of the shovel blades 40. The slide pin slots 44, need no lubrication to allow the slide pin 46, to travel properly along the slots 44, other than a small shot of spray lubricant once a year. The purpose of the slide pin 46 is to slide in and assist the slide pin slots 44, in limiting the movements and determining the direction of the shovel blades 40, by means of the shovel blade control arms 42. The slide pin 46 is made of stainless steel or steel. The shovel blade control arms 42 have a Y configuration, as can be seen in FIG. 3B, with Y joint 54 allowing the control arms 42 to attach to the slide pin 46 by extending around each side of the outer shaft 14.

The shovel blade end of each shovel blade control arm 42 inserts through a control arm slot 50 which is a narrow slot cut longitudinally down the center of each shovel blade 40 for approximately 90 percent of its length. The purpose of this slot is to accept the shovel blade control arm 42, and provide guidance for the control arm 42, while the shovel is in operation. The shovel blade end of each control arm 42 passes through the shovel blade 40 and out the back side of the shovel blade 40 where the roll pin 48 is pressed through its end perpendicular to the control arm slot 50, which can be clearly seen in FIGS. 3B and 4, and which is also enclosed by the pin enclosure 38 which is attached to the back side of the shovel blade 40 and covers and encompasses the entire control arm slot 50 and the end of the shovel blade control arm 42 and its pressed roll pin 48.

The shovel blades 40 are designed to provide the backing and support for dragging the snow from beneath the vehicle with their concave working surface being mounted facing rearward. The pin enclosures 38 keep the control arms 42, secure to the back of the shovel blades 40 which face forward when in the extended or snow capture position. The pin enclosures 38 are three sided enclosures creating enclosed runners within which the blade end of the control arm 42 and pressed roll pin 48 are housed. The fourth side is open, and it is this side that is secured to the back of the shovel blade 40. The pin enclosures 38, cover the control arm slot 50 cut in the shovel blade 40 as viewed from the top of the shovel blade 40, as seen in FIG. 3B, or the surface opposite the snow surface. The pin enclosures 38 are made of aluminum or stainless steel. The pin enclosures 38 may be coated on the inside with Teflon or urethane to allow the control arms 42 and pressed roll pins 48, to slide properly in the pin enclosures 38. The control arm 42 is therefore securely attached to the shovel blade 40, while allowing and controlling a range of motion of the shovel blades 40, to include being entirely retracted and lying against the outer shaft 14, to being extended out to nearly ninety degrees.

The control arm 42 determines the direction and movement limitations of the shovel blade 40. The control arm 42 determines direction of shovel blade 40 movement by a combination of the push or pull action the user is applying to the handle assembly 12 of the snow shovel apparatus 10, the status of the handle lock pin 26, and the slide pin 46 location in the slide pin slots 44. General shovel blade 40 movements are limited and controlled by the control arms 42. The control arm 42 limits shovel blade 40 movement by limiting the arc that the shovel blade 40 can swing about its point of rotation 34, which is the hinge assembly 34. The control arm 42 can be made of aluminum, stainless steel or carbon steel, depending on the size of the snow shovel apparatus 10. Generally, larger shovels will require stronger steels to ensure adequate strength and durability. The secure attachment of the pin enclosure 38 to the back side of the shovel blade 40 also acts to strengthen the shovel blade 40 around the control arm slot 50.

To prevent snow and ice from entering the control arm slots 50 during use and clogging up the pin enclosures 38 and thereby preventing the free movement of the shovel blades 40, in concert with the telescoping of the handle assembly 12 and the movement of the blade control arms 42 back and forth within the shovel blade control arm slot 50, slot seals 52 are provided, as can be seen in FIG. 4. The left shovel blade 40 in FIG. 4 depicts an external over lapping slot seal 52, which can be bonded to the face of the shovel blade 40 and is covering the control arm slot 50. The right shovel blade 40 in FIG. 4 depicts an internal over lapping slot seal 52, which can be bonded to the back side of the shovel blade 40 within the pin enclosure 38 and covers the control arm slot 50. The slot seal 52 can be made of rubber or any other appropriate cold weather material, and is a double overlapping seal that surrounds the blade control arm 42 as it moves back and forth in the control arm slot 50 to prevent the intrusion of foreign material into the pin enclosures 38.

Each shovel blade 40 is attached to a hinge assembly 34 by a nut and bolt assembly 36, which is attached on the opposite side of the hinge to the shovel head hinge plate 56. The bolt and nut assemblies 36 that are used to connect the hinge assemblies 34, to the shovel blades 40 are made of steel or stainless steel. The bolts have hex heads or Allen head cap screw sockets. The nuts have a nylon insert in them to prevent the nuts from loosening. This feature ensures the hinge 34/shovel blade 40 connection remains rigid for the life of the snow-shovel apparatus 10. The hinge assemblies 34 are attached in a horizontally opposed fashion to the shovel head hinge plate 56 causing the shovel blades 40 to have the same horizontally opposed arrangement. The shovel head hinge plate 56 can be made of steel or stainless steel. The hinge assemblies 34 are designed to not need any lubrication other than a small shot of spray lubricant once a year to function properly. The shovel head hinge plate 56 is attached to the end of the outer shaft 14 by a hinge plate retaining bolt 32, and it is this attachment point to the end of the outer shaft 14, and the shovel blade control arm 42 attachment to the slide pin 36, that creates the unique actuation of the shovel head assembly 30 by telescoping the handle assembly 12. The hinge plate retaining bolt 32 can be made from steel or stainless steel. It has outside threads that thread into an insert or plug in the closed end of the outer shaft 14.

The outer shaft lock pin hole 22 near the end of the outer shaft 14 is sized to properly accept the handle lock pin 26, as can be seen in FIG. 1. The handle lock pin 26, works with the outer shaft lock pin hole 22, the outer shaft 14, the inner shaft 16 and the inner shaft lock pin hole 24 to lock the shovel head assembly 30 in the compressed position, by preventing movement of the inner and outer shafts of the telescoping handle 12 in relation to each other and therefore also locking the shovel blade control arms 42 in a closed position. The lock pin can be made of carbon steel or stainless steel. This locking assembly also allows the shovel to be locked with the shovel blades 40, in the open position of approximately 35 degrees, as can be seen in FIG. 6, to allow the shovel to function as a hook blade.

The handgrip bracket 18 connects the handgrip 20, to the inner shaft 16. The handgrip bracket 18 can be attached to the inner shaft 16 by epoxy, screws or rivets, depending on the preferred method of construction. The handgrip bracket 18 can be made of a cold weather plastic, such as high-density polyethylene, or aluminum or steel depending on the size of the shovel. The handgrip 20 is primarily what the user will hold when pulling snow from underneath a vehicle. The handgrip 20 is a synthetic rubber cover over the grip end of the handgrip bracket 18, and there may also be a second handgrip mounted on the rearward end of the outer shaft 14, which may be a soft foam type grip. The purpose of the handgrip 20 is to help keep the user's hand warm by slowing the rate at which heat is drawn out of the user's hand, and to provide a more comfortable and secure grip on the handle for more efficient and consistent application of force.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a lengthwise overhead view is provided of the shovel with the handle 12 in the full forward, compressed position, the slide pin 46 is fully forward to the shovel head 30 end of the slide pin slot 44 and with the blades 40 folded closed in the snow penetration position for entry into packed snow. This is also the storage position, and the handle 12 can be locked in this position for storage by use of handle lock pin 26 as can be seen in FIG. 1 and which is inserted through the outer shaft lock pin hole 22 when it is aligned with inner shaft lock pin hole 24, when the telescoping handle assembly 12 is compressed into the storage position as shown in FIG. 5. This is also the initial position of the shovel when put to use.

As can be seen in FIG. 8, the shovel head 30 presents a very small cross sectional surface when the blades 40 are in the closed or retracted position, allowing for maximum penetration of compacted snow under a vehicle. Before use, the lock pin 26 must be removed from the lock pin hole 22 to allow for actuation of the shovel head 30 by telescoping the handle 12 after the shovel head 30 has been pushed into compacted snow. Telescoping of the handle 12 is a two handed operation on initial penetrations of compacted snow as there is no room for the blades 40 to open freely until some snow is removed. Actuation is accomplished by gripping the outer shaft 14 with one hand and pulling back on the handgrip 20 attached to the inner shaft 16 with the other hand to force the handle 12 to telescope until the blades 40 catch in the snow, after which it becomes a one handed operation.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, when the inner shaft 16 is pulled back toward the user and telescoped out from the outer shaft 14, the slide pin 46 slides the length of the slide pin slot 44 to the rearward end of the outer shaft's 14 slide pin slot 44, mechanically forcing the control arms 42 to open the shovel blades 40 out to the initial snow capture position, with the control arm 42 and pressed roll pin 48 still at the shovel tip end of the control arm slot 50. Since the pressed roll pin 48 is free to move up the control arm slot 50 within the confines of the pin enclosure 38 to the inside end of the control arm slot 50, the shovel blades 40 are free to spread wider if caught by any snow, out to an angle of approximately 65 degrees, maintaining an approximate 25 percent rearward rake, so as to prevent too much of the snow load from spilling off of the tips of the shovel blades 40 as the shovel is being withdrawn with its load of snow from under a vehicle, which position can be seen in FIG. 7, which is a lengthwise overhead view of the shovel with the handle extended and with the blades having been extended fully open by the resistance of hard packed snow. FIG. 7 also depicts an optional second handgrip 20 on the rearward end of the outer shaft 14 for more efficient use when two handed operation is required.

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are end views of the shovels depicted in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, looking from the handle or rearward end towards the blade or forward end, the progression showing the deployment of the shovel blades 40 when in use. FIG. 9 shows very little shovel blade 40 exposed to the plane of force as is expected in the snow penetration position. FIG. 10 shows substantial shovel blade 40 exposure to the plane of force for catching or hooking the blades into compressed snow at the beginning of the withdrawal stroke. FIG. 11 shows almost complete shovel blade 40 exposure to the plane of force, after the blades have been pulled open by the resistance of the compacted snow, for maximum capture of snow to be pulled from under a vehicle.

Likewise, FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 depict the progression of the retraction of the blades 40 after a load of snow has been retrieved and the shovel 10 is being prepared for the next penetration or for storage. With the shovel 10 in the configuration depicted in FIG. 7, the compression of the handle 12, causes the slid pin 46 to move to the shovel head or forward end of the slid pin slots 44 in the handle 12, which forces the control arms 42 to further extend the shovel blades 40 out to an angle close to 90 degrees, as can be seen in FIG. 12, while also causing the pressed roll pin 48 end of the control arm 42 to begin traveling away from the inside end of the control arm slot 50 in the shovel blade 40, at which point the weight of the blades causes the pressed roll pin 48 to travel all the way to the blade tip end of the control arm slot 50 as the blades 40 fall to the retracted position next to the handle 12, as can be seen in FIG. 14, with FIG. 13 depicting the blades 40 as they are midway in falling from the position in FIG. 12 to the position in FIG. 14.

FIG. 14 is a lengthwise overhead view of the shovel 10 with the blades 40 folded closed next to the handle 12, back in the snow penetration position, and ready for another shovel stroke, which position is the same as in FIG. 5, and which is also the storage position.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7 and 12-14, the preferred method for removal of compacted snow from underneath a vehicle which is hungup and stuck in the snow, includes:

-   -   providing a snow-shovel apparatus 10 for removal of snow from         underneath a vehicle;     -   pushing the shovel 10 with blades 40 retracted through compacted         snow underneath the vehicle;     -   stopping at a desired starting position for a shovel stroke;     -   telescoping the handle 12 open and thereby forcing the blades 40         partially open;     -   exerting pulling forces longitudinally along the handle 12         towards its rearward end thereby causing the blades 40 to dig         into the snow and expand to their fully open position;     -   continuing to pull on the handle 12 thereby drawing the blades         40 and captured snow towards the user;     -   withdrawing a captured load of snow from underneath the vehicle;     -   compressing the handle 12 thereby allowing the shovel blades 40         to retract back down against the handle 12;     -   repeating the previous steps until enough snow has been removed         that the vehicle is unstuck; and     -   storing the snow-shovel apparatus 10, in this compressed         configuration, in the vehicle for future use.

The method and embodiment of the present invention shown and discussed are by way of illustration and not of limitation, and a wide variety of equivalent methods and embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. 

1. A snow removal apparatus for removal of snow from underneath a vehicle, comprising: a multivariable blade means by which the blade or blades may be turned, retracted or folded to an angle of lesser or greater resistance to the direction of applied force; a positioning means attached to said multivariable blade means by which said blade or blades may be positioned to an angle of lesser or greater resistance thereby allowing the blade means to penetrate compacted snow or to capture a load of compacted snow; and, a force application handle means for the application of positive or negative direct forces longitudinally applied down the length of the handle to the blade means, for the pushing of the retracted blade means through compacted snow under a vehicle and the pulling of the extended blade means with its captured load of compacted snow out from under a vehicle.
 2. The snow removal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said positioning means also provides a locking mechanism thereby allowing the blade means to be locked in an angle of lesser or greater resistance to the direction of applied force.
 3. The snow removal apparatus according to claim 1, including a hand grip means attached to said handle means to provide a more comfortable and secure grip on the handle means for more efficient and consistent application of force.
 4. The snow removal apparatus according to claim 1, including a sealing means attached to said positioning means to seal out snow and ice to prevent jamming of said positioning means during use.
 5. The snow removal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said positioning means also provides a locking mechanism thereby allowing the blade means to be locked in an angle of lesser or greater resistance to the direction of applied force; and, including a hand grip means attached to said handle means to provide a more comfortable and secure grip on the handle means for more efficient and consistent application of force; and, including a sealing means attached to said positioning means to seal out snow and ice to prevent freezing and jamming of said positioning means during use.
 6. A method for removal of snow from underneath a vehicle, comprising: providing a snow removal apparatus for removal of snow from underneath a vehicle; ensuring the snow removal apparatus is in the closed or snow penetrating position; applying a positive force longitudinally down the force application handle means to the blade means, thereby driving said blade means through the compacted snow under a vehicle; adjusting the positioning means, thereby opening the blade means to an angle of greater resistance; applying a negative force longitudinally down the force application handle means to the blade means, thereby pulling said blade means through the compacted snow and drawing out from under the vehicle a load of compacted snow captured by the open blade means; resetting the positioning means and thereby the blade means back into the closed blade position; repeating the above procedure until enough of the compacted snow under the vehicle has been removed that the drag on the vehicle due to the density of the compacted snow is no longer greater than the traction force between the vehicle tires and the ground, thereby making the vehicle unstuck; and, closing said snow removal apparatus to its storage position.
 7. A snow removal apparatus for removal of snow from underneath a vehicle, comprising: a shovel head assembly for penetrating compacted snow under a vehicle and then capturing, plowing and drawing out a load of snow from under a vehicle, comprised of one or more shovel blades, hingedly attached to a central frame means whereby said shovel blades may swing back and forth; a telescoping handle assembly comprised of an inner and an outer shaft, said outer shaft being attached by an attachment means to said central frame means of said shovel head assembly and said inner shaft being attached by an attachment means to said shovel blades, whereby the telescoping of said handle assembly controls the angle of said blades, allowing said blades to be positioned by the user to an angle of lesser or greater resistance to the snow thereby allowing for the pushing of said shovel head assembly with blades retracted through compacted snow under a vehicle and then pulling said shovel head assembly with blades extended with its captured load of compacted snow out from under a vehicle.
 8. The snow removal apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said telescoping handle assembly also provides a locking mechanism thereby allowing said blades to be locked in an angle of lesser or greater resistance to the direction of applied force.
 9. The snow removal apparatus according to claim 7, including a hand grip means attached to said telescoping handle assembly to provide a more comfortable and secure grip on said telescoping handle assembly for more efficient and consistent application of force.
 10. The snow removal apparatus according to claim 7, including a sealing means attached to said attachment means to said shovel blades to seal out snow and ice to prevent jamming of said attachment means to said shovel blades during use.
 11. The snow removal apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said telescoping handle assembly also provides a locking mechanism thereby allowing said blades to be locked in an angle of lesser or greater resistance to the direction of applied force; and, including a hand grip means attached to said handle assembly to provide a more comfortable and secure grip on said handle assembly for more efficient and consistent application of force; and, including a sealing means attached to said attachment means to said shovel blades to seal out snow and ice to prevent jamming of said attachment means to said shovel blades during use.
 12. The snow removal apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said telescoping handle assembly is comprised of an inner shaft, an outer shaft, a slide pin, two slide pin slots, a retaining bolt, an outer shaft lock pin hole, two inner shaft lock pin holes, a handle lock pin, a handle lock pin chain, a handgrip bracket, and a handgrip; said inner shaft diameter sized to slide within said outer shaft without excessive friction or play, said outer shaft diameter sized to comfortable fit in a user's hand, sized lengthwise to reach at least halfway underneath a car or truck from the side, having an opening at one end in which said inner shaft slides, having said slide pin slots cut longitudinally in the top and the bottom sides of the opposite end of said outer shaft from said opening, having said retaining bolt fastened into the solid end opposite said opening, said inner shaft having said slide pin vertically pressed into and through the inside end of said inner shaft whereby said slide pin protrudes through said slide pin slots in said outer shaft, retaining said inner shaft within said outer shaft and confining the movement of said inner shaft to the length of said slide pin slots, said slide pin slots sized to allow movement for proper functioning of said shovel head assembly, said inner shaft sized lengthwise to protrude from said outer shaft a distance by which said protruding end may be easily gripped by the user, when said inner shaft is inserted as far as said slide pin and said slide pin slots will allow; and wherein said shovel head assembly is comprised of a hinge plate, two hinge assemblies, two shovel blades, two bolt and nut assemblies, two control arm slots, two shovel blade pin enclosures, two control arms, two pressed roll pins, two control arm Y joints, and two slot seals; said shovel head hinge plate being attached to said outer shaft by said hinge plate retaining bolt, said hinges being attached opposite one another to said shovel head hinge plate by any appropriate means, said shovel blades each having a front edge and a rear edge and a concave scoop side and a convex back side, being attached by said rear edge to the opposite side of said hinges from said hinge plate, whereby said shovel blades are attached to said shovel head assembly in a horizontally opposed fashion and can hinge ably fold down against said outer shaft with said concave scoop side facing said outer shaft, said shovel blades having said control arm slots cut down the center of each blade to allow said shovel blade control arms and said pressed roll pin to move readily up and down most of the length of the blade, with said control arms extending through said control arm slots and with said roll pin pressed into the end of said control arm and perpendicular to said control arm slot, preventing said control arm and pressed roll pin from pulling out of said control arm slot, said shovel blade pin enclosures being attached to said back side of said shovel blade and sized to entirely cover said control arm slot and provide a housing for said pressed roll pin and whereby said shovel blade is strengthened surrounding said control arm slot and whereby said control arm and said pressed roll pin being contained within said pin enclosures may control the angle and movement of said shovel blade by the exertion of positive or negative longitudinal forces, said shovel blade control arms extending down from their attachment through said control arm slots, down along said outer shaft, said control arm splitting into two arms at said control arm Y joint, said split arms diverging to opposite sides of said outer shaft and attaching to said slide pin extending through said outer shaft slide pin slots from said inner shaft, whereby movement of said inner shaft in relation to said outer shaft causes said shovel blade control arms to adjust the angle of said shovel blades, providing a mechanism to control said shovel head assembly. 